My Thoughts on Ann Bender (48 Hours)
When I watched Ann Bender on 48 Hours, several things troubled me, and I have admit, I do not trust her. We have a lot of pieces that when added up paint a picture and I don’t believe that picture is what Ann is telling us.
The first thing I notice with Ann is a lack of oblique eyebrows indicating true sadness. This really stood out to me throughout the entire story. The second thing I noticed was that she said her husband wanted to die, he was suicidal, but oddly she had no concern when he brought a gun to bed.
She said, “It was the last thing I expected him to be doing, even though I knew that he was suicidal.”
What?
If your loved one was suicidal and brought a gun to bed, would you be able to drift off to sleep? I don’t think so. Ann’s statement doesn’t make any sense.
Ann says, “I opened my eyes and I saw the outline of the trigger of the gun … and he had it pointed at his head … at himself…”
What troubles me about this statement according to the forensics is that if John was shot in the back of the head behind his right ear, how could she see the gun shadow if she was laying behind him in bed, and he was in bed with his head on his pillow? Her eyes wouldn’t have likely been underneath the gun to see through it. It’s possible, but highly unlikely. In the re-enactment, they had John sleeping with three pillows in a very unnatural position.
I am also troubled by the ear plugs, the pillow with the gunshot tear, and the spent cartridge being 15 feet away.
Who wears ear plugs when they are going to kill themselves? You would actually want to be alert, I would think, to hear what your loved one is doing so they don’t stop you, if you are intent on getting the job done!
I am also troubled with what Ann says.
The first account Ann says:
“I got up on my knees and reared towards him and I tried to grab the gun.”
[“Were you able to get it?”]
“No. I was able to get my hands around his and the gun slipped and it went off,” she replied.
This troubles me. The gun just went off? I’m not buying it.
The next time she says:
“I lunged forward towards him with my hands. I fell towards the center of the bed … and the gun went off.”
This time she doesn’t even reach John’s hands, ironically.
And another time she says:
“That evening I had no indication of what was going to happen…after the shot, I don’t remember exactly what happened.”
And now another time she doesn’t remember?
Nonsense!
I don’t think Ann killed John for money, but I do think he was very determined and headstrong, and he was taking her down in his spiraling depression with him. And Ann knew it and didn’t know how to get away from him, or perhaps she didn’t want to give up their “dream” of the sanctuary. I think she knew she was going to die with him if something didn’t change and John wasn’t open to do anything. I suspect Ann didn’t know how to get away because he’d seek her out, too, and around him she knew she wasn’t as strong as he was. She was the weaker of the two. I suspect Ann couldn’t take it anymore and felt this was her only way out. She wanted to survive and this is what she believed she had to do to get away.
But just because Ann was weaker than John in standing up against him, do not assume that I believe Ann is a weak or meek person. I do not think that. She is actually quite strong. She isn’t letting her time in prison deter her. She is on a mission to get out, and she isn’t going to give up any time soon, if you ask me.
Is it possible that, in her mental state, she may have believed she was helping him or doing as he wished? Perhaps even thinking at the time he was going to cause her harm? The types of mental illness she was described as having when they first meet, if not properly treated, could make a case for diminished capacity. So im betting there is a chance she isn’t lying on purpose. She may not be sure herself what is really REAL!
This was a good analysis, Eyes. From the start, I didn’t feel sympathy for Ann, which isn’t the norm for me. In fact her act irritated me. I noticed Ann walking with a cane, but she really seemed spry and not dependent on it. I couldn’t help, but wonder if this was another ploy on Ann’s bid for sympathy.
Her psychiatrist said, when she got to the hospital, she couldn’t lift a spoon. If this was not an act, how did Ann sit up in bed and grab John’s hands? In the pictures of Ann before the night of John’s death, she looked very sick, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t handle a gun. Money doesn’t always buy you happiness, and this story is a prime example of that. I think they were killing each other, and Ann knew that. I, also, think the fact that she didn’t flee back to the U.S is an example of how important that house and refuge meant to her.
Good points karon. And the cane thing is distracting. As always thanks to eyes for a fascinating new angle an the strangest stories!
I don’t know if she did it or not. But now I’m wondering if her openness regarding her mental illness isn’t a way to excuse any abnormal reactions.
Yeah the cane thing bothered me too. Especially in the shot of her using it while walking in what to be at least 4 inch heels. Obviously a sympathy ploy imho
Well Eyes, fascinating insights. You make it seem so easy. I was getting lost in the first viewing with all the details and people talking. I like how you came up with a reason for what could have occurred based on the couple and their characteristics. Haha, I still have lots to learn.
Re the cane comment: Well… it’s also possible she’s using it for balance as a walking stick and not a cane per se for walking problems. And she may suffer from intermittent dizziness. Can’t say for sure without being in her body.
Re wanting sympathy.. I mean, her husband died, she’s in a Costa Rican prison after a double-jeopardy trial, she feels severely wronged by prior associates… who wouldn’t want sympathy???? If she’s using theatrics to gain sympathy, she could use a lot of other things too, but I didn’t really see that in the video. But still, who doesn’t use theatrics at some level….? I don’t really know a lot of people, if any, who are 100% honest, no artifice, no manipulation, no trace of guile whatsoever in every moment, in every situation, with every person. It’s hard to be on camera, to be tired, to be scared, on heavy medication, and to be consistent and coherent to satisfy the level scrutiny that comes with the Media. Don’t know anyone, except maybe Eyes…? 🙂
Joan.. I have a traumatic brain injury that has left me with dizziness problems and let me tell you heels of any kind are completely out
Very deep. I think what happened was that he had gun in left hand. Thats how she saw it. Then shr tried to grab it. So switched to right hand. In the struggle he pulled the trigger hitting pillow first from the angle
I find trying to read her demeanor (eyeline/movement) probably tainted by the fact that she’s currently on so much medication.
I believe that they said earlier in the episode, that after he was detained by police (to be served with legal papers) He/they were heavily armed…(there was a photo of him wearing a gun in a holster on his hip on the show)
Also, it seems apparent that John did whatever he wanted, if he wanted to take a gun to bed/sleep with multiple guns around them…he would. This episode was an example of wishing they’d given the story 2 hours instead of the normal 1 hour.
John was obviously suicidal, but Ann’s story definitely is non-sensical to say the least. What I’m wondering is how could someone possibly get shot in the back of the head when you’re struggling with them for the gun?? Was he struggling with it at head-level behind his back? I would think it would be nearly impossible. I can’t recall whether she actually demonstrated the position they were in at the time of the shooting, but I just don’t believe that that could have happened.
Good analysis, although admitting in your first line you don’t trust her. makes you a bit biased. The interview she did in 48hours does not hold water, since she was under medication and can create blank emotion and I guess her inconsistencies in recalling of the said event made it more believable., the Best true emotion leak was the footage during the verdict. As to what really happened, I believe the independent forensic couple’s version more.
Saying I don’t trust her is not a biased statement. It’s based on her actions and behavior. The interview DOES hold water. We have to disagree. Medication does NOT make someone emotionless and void. It may dampen it, but not eliminate it. Yes, her emotions during the verdict were very revealing. It shows she felt a lot for herself!
Considering the ones you stated are valid, what’s your read one the independent forensics version? Which they believe is more of an accident rather than homicide? The prosecutors seemed to be leaning on what a stereotypical suicidal should do, but this one is no typical one.
Hi Eyes, I like what you’re saying. But what about the idea that a person may distort the truth because they do not want to put themselves into hot water. An innocent person may alter the truth because they fear they won’t be believed. I guess here all the pieces of the puzzle make a different picture than that she is innocent.
They were both depressed and living with someone who is suicidal day in and day out, you might say, he talked about it all the time but I didn’t think he would really do it… I do feel bad for Ann, I think she really does love him, and when you love someone who is that tortured, I imagine their death would bring some very complicated feelings.
She’s suffering ( recovering?) From Lyme disease, hence the cane?
You wouldn’t wear high heels then, would you? A cane and high heels is quite the contradiction!
Why didn’t she leave after the first trial? How stupid, she could have gotten out of the country somehow. Come on wake up !!! Get out !!!